Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 64767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“How is Atlas?”
Tina takes a deep breath.
“He’s out of surgery, and Sydney is waiting for him to wake.”
“I spent the night with him last night,” I tell her. “It was… good. When it’s just us, we are good,” I say, smiling.
“Look, Thea…” she grips my hand, “… I’m all for you being happy, you deserve it, and you know I will always be the first one to cheer you on but, can it work? I know you kept some things from me about how he is, but I know because Sydney tells me everything.” She pauses. “Can you handle his lifestyle, Thea? Like really handle it. You like things slow and easy and Atlas is anything but.”
She’s right, I know she is. But that doesn’t change the fact I feel something for him, and it’s not small either. It’s huge and is slowly taking me over inch by inch.
“He’s asking for you.”
We both look up to Sydney’s voice, her hands are at her sides, and she appears tired. She walks over and takes the seat on the other side of Tina and lays her head on her shoulder.
Standing, I walk to the room that Sydney just came out of and spot him straight away. There are machines all around him as he lays on the bed. He looks… helpless. I’ve never seen him that way. Atlas has always been someone you fear, never a man who needs help himself. He turns his head, and his amber eyes fall to mine.
“Theadora.” My name is a croak coming from his lips.
I step into his room and take small steps until I reach the side of his bed. My hand instantly reaches out and covers his, and it’s cold to the touch.
“You’re all right,” I say, relieved. He winces as he moves, and I shake my head. “Stay still.”
“The baby?” he asks.
“Doing well. I can probably take him home in a week or so. He is a good size and growing,” I tell him with a small smile touching my face. “I never thought I would have to look after a child that isn’t mine, but I can’t put anything past my sister. She’s full of surprises.”
A knock comes on his door, and I turn to see the bodyguard that Atlas assigned to me.
“Sir,” he nods his head and looks to me. “I’m ready to take you home when you’re ready, miss.”
My eyes go wide as I turn back to look at Atlas. “I don’t need protection,” I say to him, looking him up and down. “It seems you do more than me.”
“You do. Please don’t fight me on this.”
I want to, the words are on the tip of my tongue, but I try to restrain myself.
“You should leave,” he says, looking away and pulling his hand out of my grasp. “I need to rest.”
I stand and walk to the door then look back to him. “Do you want me to visit again?”
“No,” he says firmly, and I feel my heart crack.
I told myself not to fall for him, to not even have the slightest thought that things could or would change. It’s what happened the last time we hit a rough spot. Then, disaster.
Is this what our relationship is meant to be?
A disaster?
I can’t handle that and I won’t.
“Goodnight, Atlas,” I mutter, walking out, managing to keep my tears at bay.
How many times can I be stupid? I’m not one of those girls. Granted, yesterday, I was, but I have reached my limit. He can bring me down and make me forget.
The girls are huddled together when I walk out. I wipe at my face as the bodyguard follows behind me. Both sets of eyes look up when I enter the waiting area.
“Hey, you weren’t in there long. Everything okay?” Tina asks.
Sydney doesn’t move, just watches me.
“I gotta head back and get some rest before I come back tomorrow,” I say to Tina. “Oh, and I need to buy baby things.” I wince just thinking about that part.
“What do you mean?”
“Lucy left the baby here. She doesn’t want it.”
“Of course, she did. The baby didn’t benefit her in any way so why keep it,” Tina says in a harsh voice. Problem is, she isn’t wrong. Her eyes fall on me. “Are you sure you can handle it? A baby, I mean? You have only just started your own business.”
“I don’t know, but I have to try.”
“You should find that child a home,” Sydney finally says something.
“He has one. I’ll give him one,” I tell her.
“Yeah, but you don’t know the first thing about raising a child, and I’m sure you could find that child a home where someone wants him.”
“I want him,” I tell her, defending myself. I don’t even know why I am defending myself to Sydney, it’s none of her business what I do.